Surgical Oncology

Mission

The Division of Surgical Oncology is committed to the care of patients requiring complex surgical intervention for neoplastic diseases of the chest, abdomen, breast and soft tissue. The Division emphasizes quality in cancer care through the use of multi-disciplinary teams with other medical and nursing specialties. Our Division is focused on resident training and research through strategic alliances throughout the state of Tennessee.

Clinical Program

This includes specialized focuses in breast cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, upper gastrointestinal malignancies, pancreatic cancers, colorectal cancers, hepatobiliary cancers, endocrine tumors and thoracic malignancies such as lung and esophageal cancer. There is an active minimally invasive thoracic surgery program. Complex cancers are a specialty. A team of pathologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists and internal medicine specialists cooperate in the development of patient treatment plans.

Research

The Division of Surgical Oncology initiates and participates in many clinical protocols directed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Furthermore, surgical oncology researchers are actively engaged in basic science research.

Teaching

In addition to providing focused individualized state-of-the-art care for the cancer patient, our mission is to educate other surgeons in the complex management of cancer patients, in addition to medical student and residency training for both general surgery and thoracic surgery residents.